THE DOMESTIC FOWL. 87 







the above figure, after selecting the situation, join 

 four pieces of saplings in an oblong shape for the sills ; 

 confine them to the ground ; erect at the middle of 

 each of the two ends a forked post, of suitable height, 

 in order to make the sides quite steep ; join these with 

 a ridge pole ; rough-board it from the apex downward 

 by the sills to the ground; then cover it with bark, 

 roughly cut in pieces a foot square, laid on and con- 

 fined in the same manner as ordinary shingles ; fix the 

 back end in the same way ; and the front can be lat- 

 ticed with little poles with the bark on, arranged 

 diamond fashion as shown in the sketch a part to be 

 made with hinges for a door." 



Something after this style, placed on the bank of a 

 lake or small stream, and half covered with climbing 

 plants, would make a very pretty home for aquatic 

 fowls. 



The size of the building may vary according to the 

 wants or taste of the owner. Towards the apex of the 

 interior, rough roosting poles should run parallel with 

 the sides of the house, so arranged that one -set of 

 fowls shall not perch directly above the others. 

 Troughs or boxes should be placed under the poles, in 

 order to catch the manure ; and ladders, or steps, 

 should be provided for the fowls to ascend and descend 

 from their roost. Laying and sitting boxes may be 

 placed at either side of the building, under the roofing 

 on or just above the ground. They should be about 

 14 inches square, 10 inches deep, and concealed 

 by bundles of corn stalks, wheat or rye straw, faggots, 

 or pine boughs. The sitting boxes should be partly 

 filled with wood ashes, pulverized charcoal, or soot. 

 These are slow conductors of heat or cold, and when 

 once warm, they will impart a proper temperature to 

 the eggs during the absence of the hen. They will 

 also ward off lice and other small vermin, as well as 

 contribute to her health. Directly above the ashes, 

 &c., should be the nest. It may be made of finely- 



